The current search for credible options at right full back by Nigeria would have not been an issue, if former U-17 and 20 captain Musa Mohammed had made the right move.

Offers poured in for the captain after leading his team of 2013 to glory at the U-17 World Youth Championship, but the lure of making more money by his representative from his transfer made them snub european sides who came for him.

” I can tell you confidently that Arsenal and Liverpool were among the first two teams that came for Musa, but a deal couldn’t be reached because what they proposed for the then 16 year old was a developmental deal, but his representatives were on the look out for a big pay”, Mohammed Kabiru, a close family friend told Owngoalnigeria.com.

Known for his ability to dominate the right flank from his full back role, the 20 year old who is very good at set pieces, shone like a million stars for the Nigeria U-20 that won the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal with style.

He picked up five assist in the tournament, offers from teams in Belgium, Holland and France poured in but his representatives were once again out for the best transfer fee not the best for his career..

” Offers flooded in even more than his days with the U-17 but still no deal, instead his representative was keen on striking a deal either in Germany or Turkey where the pay is high, no concern or whatsoever about his development”, Kabiru said.

After the 2015 World Youth Championship in New Zealand, he secured a move to Istanbul Basaksehir shunning strong interest from teams in other league, famed for developing young players and the number one motivation was money.

” As painful as it is, he moved to Turkey mainly for the money, today he has made lot of it but if he is not careful, it could be all he will ever make in football. He isn’t playing right now, thanks to connection in high places he is in the Super Eagle.

” You and I know he won’t last in the team unless he sort out his club career and for now, it looks unlikely even in January, am not sure about clubs trying him out. It’s a pity but that is how he lost his way and the Dani Alves tag”.

As Nigeria continue her drive to lure players with dual nationality to pledge their allegiance to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Owngoalnigeria.com takes a look at 11 talented players who could have been playing for the Nigeria senior national team but are now representing other countries.

Jonathan Ligali (Montpellier)

One area where Nigeria is well protected is in the area of goalkeppers. However Jonathan Ligali who keeps goal for French Ligue 1 side Montpellier is one who would have been another option for the Super Eagles.

Ligali was at a point in time under consideration by former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh but the move didn’t materialise and the 25 year old who has already represented France at youth level will be hoping to make the step up to the senior team in the future.

Ola Aina (Chelsea)

The teen full back who is highly respected and regarded at Premiership club Chelsea is a full fledge England youth international. Although he could still play for Nigeria in the future. It appears he is for now focused on playing for England at senior level

David Alaba (Bayern Munich)

A big miss to Nigeria but one who still relates with his Nigerian roots, as seen in his wrapping his body in the flag of Nigeria after winning the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich.

He ranks high among the players who got away from the grasp of Nigeria. He currently captains the senior national team of Austria and he is widely regarded as one of the best left full back in the world.

Dennis Aogo ( Schalke 04)

The 29 year old left footed defender cum midfielder was initially keen on switching allegiance to Nigeria but FIFA rules on nationality switch stopped him. By the time the limitations that hindered him were removed he opt to represent Germany and turned down Nigeria thrice.

His decision to play for the country where he was given birth to paid off as he made the Germany team to the 2010 World Cup.

Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur)

Nigeria missed out on Alli who is now about the first name on the team sheet for Spurs in any game due to negligence, according to former England international John Fashanu.

Fashanu said he tried to get permission to speak with the teen during his formative years at MK Dons but he got no support from the then board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Now firmly established as a senior international. He recently removed his surname Alli from the back of his shirt to a more Nigerian name in Dele.

Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)

Italy’s deputy centre back behind the fantastic trio of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chellini. The power playing defender ironically made his debut for the Italian senior national team against Nigeria in a friendly game before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

His uncle said in a recent interview that he proposed the defenders to the Nigerian set up during his early days at Torino but was given cold shoulders by those he spoke to regarding his abilities.

Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm)

Born in Russia to a Nigerian father. Idowu’s case is entirely different as despite his consistent display for Amkar Perm. He is yet to be called up by Nigeria or Russia at any level, the two nations he is eligible to represent.

Karim Onisiwo ( Mainz 05)

Just like David Alaba who plays for Austria. Onisiwo who plays in same team with Nigeria international Leon Balogun is also a national team player of Austria despite his Nigerian roots.

However the former Austria youth international, could yet switch allegiance to Nigeria as he has only played in a friendly game for Austria, way back 2015 in a game against Switzerland.

Ross Barkley (Everton)

Voiced out his Nigerian roots and willingness to play for Nigeria if called up years ago before breaking into the first team set up at Everton.

Now a fully established England international. Nigeria were slow in making their push for him particulary when he mentioned his Nigerian roots which was a secret before he let it out.

Emmanuel Sarki ( Wisla Krakov)

The former Nigeria youth international played at different levels for Nigeria (U-17,20 & 23) but never got to play for the Super Eagles, which forced him to switch allegiance to Haiti.

A former youth player of Chelsea. He joined the club alongside Mikel John Obi in 2004 but after successful loan spells. He failed to make the grades and was cut loose. He now plays for Haiti at senior level.

Sidney Sam (Schalke O4)

The dashing winger was quick to make up his mind about his international future sticking to play for the land of his birth Germany as opposed to Nigeria.

He progressed through the German youth set up to the main team and made the provisional 30 man list of the German team that won the World Cup in 2014.

Former Nigeria U17 and 20 captain Kelechi Nwakali was among the best players for his loan side MVV Maastricht as they recovered from losing their lead and going behind to beat Fortuna Sittard 3-2.

On loan from Arsenal till the end of the season, the 18 year old won the spot kick from which his side took the lead in the 29th minute, after he was upended in the box after a strong run.

He twice came close to scoring with efforts that brought out strong saves from the opposition goalkepper as his side pushed to put the game to bed.

Nwakali lasted the entire duration of the game, bossing and dictating play from his role on the left side of midfield for his team who ran out 3-2 winners, and remain top of the second division table in Holland.

Voted as the Most Valuable Player of the last U-17 World Cup, his recent fine form will no doubt interest the Arsenal hierarchy who sent him out on loan to gain sufficient game time before returning back to the Emirates.

According to reports exclusively gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com coach of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr, has made up his mind to axe some players he has invited to the team since taking over as coach.

We gathered that unless Imoh Ezekiel leaves Qatar for a bigger league, his international future with Rohr as coach of Nigeria is well over, while the manager is also considering axing goalkepper Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

Rohr has not been overtly impressed about the FC Ifeanyi Ubah shot stopper, and clearly believe that having young talented goalkeppers as understudy to his first and second choice would serve the nation better in the future.

To that effect he is set to stick to the talented trio of SC Kriens Sebastian Osigwe, Dele Alampasu of Cesarense in Portugal and David Nwokolor who keeps goal for Vitez of Bosnia.

The biggest casualty could be Watford forward Odion Ighalo who could be dropped for a younger player, after losing his spot as second choice striker to Brown Ideye.

All of this changes are however subjected to the performance and movements of this players in their various clubs before the next gathering of the Super Eagles.

Few weeks after Dutch born Nigerian footballer Tyronne Ebuehi turned down the chance to be a part of Nigeria’s squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Algeria, another Dutch youngster has turned down Nigeria as well.

Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr is keen on strengthening the right full back position of the team, after using five players as right back in three games as coach.

The mini crisis has forced the coach has into combing Europe for talented Nigerian players in the diaspora to boost his options, but one of the players he has in mind has turned down a fresh approach.

The Nigeria Football Federation made fresh move to entice PEC Zwolle wingback Kingsley Ehizibue but were told in clear terms, that he is focused on making the grades with the Dutch national team.

” We are no longer on his (Ehizibue) case. We made fresh moves for him and what we got from his family is that he wants to concentrate on the Dutch national team. He is already playing for the U-21″, a source at the NFF told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” There are other options we are exploring for the coach, but for now we won’t like to make it public. The idea is to get the best legs to represent Nigeria at senior level”.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded plans to revive the Nigeria U15’s, a move many view as a way of keeping hold of some promising Nigerian teen born in the diaspora particularly Lateef Omidiji Jnr.

FC Dordrecht teen sensation Omidiji jnr is rated as one of the top prospect in European football among players of his age, with some even claiming he is highly rated than 13 year old Scottish wonder-kid Karamoko Dembele.

It is widely believed that he will be named captain of the Nigerian team when assembled later in the year, as a means of keeping him away from the clutches of other nations.

Omidiji Jnr qualifies to represent the Netherland and USA aside Nigeria, and only recently USA stole a march on Nigeria by calling him up to their U-14s for a training camp.

In what looked like a swift response, a top brass of the NFF told Owngoalnigeria.com, that preparations towards reviving the country’s U-15 is well and truly underway, and they are expected to play some games in December.

Coach Danladi Nasidi who handles the country’s U15 will be briefed about the recent development by the NFF before the end of the next month.

According to reports exclusively gathered by Owngoalnigeria.com, Portuguese side CD Feirense have placed a price tag on Super Eagles rave of the moment Oghenekaro Etebo.

21 year old Etebo joined the Portuguese team, owned by billionaire Nigerian Kunle Soname in January on a free transfer from Nigeria Premier League side Warri Wolves.

However despite having limited game time for the newly promoted Portuguese outfit due to injury and paper works, his performances with Nigeria have seen his value soar in the transfer market.

Etebo grabbed the headline at the Olympics in Rio, when he scored four times in Nigeria’s first game against Japan, which they won 5-4. His performances for the Super Eagles against Algeria has also gained global attention.

He has been linked to Spanish side Sevilla and Valencia with Italian team Fiorentina also mentioned among clubs chasing his signature.

” CD Feirense won’t hold him back, but interested parties need to meet their valuation. He is rated in the €10 million bracket. That I think is Feirense will demand at the first time of asking,” a source close to the player’s representative told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” The one thing I know for sure is that there’s little or no chance of him leaving in January. The most likely option is in the summer, if clubs meets his valuation”.

Amkar Perm defender Brian Idowu has admitted that he would consider playing for the Super Eagles if he was invited by coach Stephen Keshi.

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, the 22 – year – old says his priority is to establish himself in the first team squad of Amkar Perm before committing his international future to either Nigeria or Russia.

”I don’t know myself which country I want to play for at the moment. But if I get a call up to the Super Eagles, I will honour the invitation,” Brian Idowu told SL10.ng.

” I am half – Nigerian, half – Russian. My father is not forcing me to play for Nigeria, he supports any decision I make.

”I need to start playing at a high level for Amkar Perm before I decide which country I want to represent. I can play several defensive roles.”

The Amkar Perm number 16 has not discussed the possibility of joining the Nigeria set-up with teammate Fegor Ogude, who thinks he’s good enough to play for the Super Eagles.

”I have not spoken to Fegor Ogude about the national team yet. After the World Cup, we talked about Stephen Keshi and his chances of remaining the coach.

”My mother is from Imo State, I can’t remember the exact part my father is from now. I have not been to Nigeria in the last five years,” Idowu said.

Fegor Ogude added : ” Brian is a good player, and he is good enough to play for the national team.”

Idowu, who previously appeared for the youth team of Zenit Saint Petersburg, is spending the next three weeks on the sidelines due to a broken finger.

*Originally published by SL10.ng on the 26th of November 2014

Ahead of Chelsea clash against Middlesbrough this weekend, head coach of the team Antonio Conte has given an update on the players, he has available for selection.

While he spoke about the progress made by defender Kourt Zouma in his bid to return back to full fitness after his injuries, the manager also dispelled fears about the severity of the injury suffered by Diego Costa while on international duty with Spain.

Conte also confirmed that captain John Terry who has not been playing games is in very good shape and will fit into his team style of play if needed. He also confirmed that out of favour Spaniard Cesc Fabregas is back and available for the game.

The Italian spoke about the future of Brazilian midfielder Oscar, who has also been frozen out of the first team set up, he was however silent on John Obi Mikel, the captain of the senior national team of Nigeria.

As reported by Owngoalnigeria.com, Mikel has been told by the manager that he can leave in January, probably the reason why he wasn’t given a mention by the manager.

Young Nigerian footballer Chijioke Stephen Obioha was this morning executed in Singapore, after the Court of Appeal dismissed a motion filed by his lawyer yesterday.

Obioha arrived Singapore eight years ago for football trials with an unnamed club, but was arrested by anti-narcotics officials for been in possession of hard drugs.

The graduate of the University of Benin in Nigeria, also had on him keys to an apartment where hard drugs are kept, which lead to the authorities to pronounce him guilty as charged.

“This morning, at 6am, the execution of Chijioke Stephen Obioha took place. I am not even sure if his family from Nigeria were able to attend. Soon it will be all forgotten together with Chijioke’s name, but for the many of us who fight and campaign to eradicate this barbaric practice of death by hanging, and for those of us who challenge the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking in Singapore, our work will go on. And it must.” Anti-Death Penalty Campaign member , Mr Ravi posted on his Facebook wall
” I’m currently arranging with the Roman Catholic Prison Ministry ( RCPM) to claim the body of Chijioke from the Singapore Prisons Service for a proper funeral in accordance with his religious beliefs.The funeral will take place either today or tomorrow depending on how soon the SPS could release the body.
Will keep you posted”